A Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officer and two other men have been remanded until November 16, 2026, after appearing before the General Court Martial over allegations that they defrauded an investor of about Shs13 billion in a fake gold deal.
The suspects are Maj. Nicholas Ntakirwa, an officer attached to the Directorate of Operations in the Land Forces; Ali Mohammed, a director at Duck Hunter Security Company Limited; and businessman Trevor Besigye.
The trio was arraigned on Tuesday following investigations by the Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
They face charges of obtaining money by false pretences and scandalous conduct.
Prosecution alleges that in September 2025, Maj. Ntakirwa, with the assistance of Mohammed and Besigye, posed as “Gen. James” and obtained US$2.4 million, equivalent to about Shs13 billion, from Gafar Ibrahim Mohammed Elsawi, an investor associated with MAPSCO General Trading LLC.
The money was allegedly paid for 30 kilogrammes of gold that the suspects claimed they would sell and export to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
According to the prosecution, the transaction took place on September 22, 2025, at the offices of Duck Hunter Security Company Limited in Muyenga, Makindye Division, Kampala.
The prosecution alleges that the accused, together with other individuals still at large, obtained the money with intent to defraud Elsawi, despite allegedly having no gold to sell or export as promised.
The suspects are further accused of obtaining an additional US$120,000, equivalent to more than Shs500 million, from the investor on September 29, 2025, after allegedly claiming that the money was required for payment to the Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
Prosecution alleges that the money was not intended for the stated purpose.
Maj. Ntakirwa also faces allegations of conduct contrary to the morality, order and expectations set out in the Code of Conduct for the Defence Forces.
The three suspects were remanded until November 16, 2026, as investigations continue. The allegations have yet to be proven in court.
